Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

Post image for Downing’s Civil War Diary.–Alexander G. Downing.

Downing’s Civil War Diary.–Alexander G. Downing.

August 2, 2014

Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry

Tuesday, 2d—We had a refreshing rain last night. Governor Stone of Iowa arrived at the hospital this morning, having come from the front, with an order from General Sherman granting a thirty-day furlough to the sick and wounded from the Iowa regiments here in the hospital. Those able for duty are to be sent to the front. News came from the front that the Iowa Brigade was badly cut to pieces in the battle of the 22d of July. Many of them were taken prisoners, including almost all of the Sixteenth Regiment. Among the killed are the major of the Thirteenth and the lieutenant colonel of the Fifteenth.[1] There is no news from General Grant’s army.


[1] Later I learned that while the brigade’s loss was great, yet Company E’s loss was light. By a flank movement the brigade advanced a short distance upon Atlanta.—A. G. D.

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